England against Wales again

Last updated : 08 September 2005 By John Robertson & Tony Scholes
Richard Chaplow - scored in the last two seasons against Cardiff
The Bluebirds are currently managed by Dave Jones and in recent weeks, after being tipped by many as likely relegation candidates, the former Saints and Wolves boss has made a number of astute signings which should see his side stay clear of the drop zone come the end of the season.

Players such as Jason Koumas, Darren Purse, Phil Mulryne, Jeff Whitley and Michael Ricketts have been added to the Bluebirds’ squad and all have experienced promotion to the top flight, so will know what is needed to be successful in this tough division. The game will likely be one with goals, as Cameron Jerome and Ade Akinbiyi lead the line for their teams, having scored five and six goals in the league and cup respectfully so far this campaign.

Last season’s game at the Turf was a poor affair; the teams separated by a crisp 88th minute Richard Chaplow strike, which he played across Tony Warner into the low right hand corner of the keeper’s goal, after being played in by an exquisite Robbie Blake pass.

In the 2003/2004 season the two sides shared a 1-1 draw in a game where the Clarets were the better of the two sides. Again it wasn’t a great spectacle and too many of the bigger earners wearing claret and blue didn’t produce the goods. The up and coming Richard Chaplow however provided a performance full of passion and endeavour, a super display by the lively central midfielder who had made little over a score of appearances in his short career to date.

In the early exchanges, Cardiff found some joy out wide, more often than not exploiting a much under par Dean West. It was from a John Robinson shot that Cardiff nearly took the lead, but Graham Branch was aware and stretched well to block the strike and cover Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal.

For the rest of the half Burnley began to get a grip on the game, as good link up play between Blake, Facey and Moore produced some half chances for the Clarets.

The second half started in the same vain in which the first had ended, with Burnley continuing to be the better of the two sides. Burnley’s extra commitment to the cause was rewarded in the 52nd minute as Dean West laid a pass to Glen Little who strolled past his marker as if he wasn’t there.

Little’s cross was low, but typically accurate as it found the feet of the on running Richard Chaplow who swept the ball across Alexander in the City goal into the far side of the netting.

The following twenty minutes saw more pressure from the Clarets, yet Cardiff’s ability to break forward had started to become more apparent. Graham Kavanagh had started to become more influential, pulling the strings in the middle of Cardiff’s midfield.

With only fifteen minutes remaining Burnley paid the price for not taking their chances as Kavanagh picked up the ball from Graham Branch who completely failed to trap a loose ball. The Republic of Ireland midfielder intercepted well and played a perfectly weighted pass for Robert Earnshaw on the edge of the box. With his back to centre of the goal, Earnshaw brought the ball down, spun and smashed home a thunderous strike into Brian Jensen’s top right corner. It was a special goal by a very promising striker. The scoreline stayed at 1-1 and ironically, the two players on the score sheet now are team mates under Bryan Robson’s management at West Brom.

Andy Farrell - scored in the 1992 win
Back in 1992 Burnley went into the game against Cardiff City needing 7 points from 5 games to win the Fourth Division title. From the kick off Burnley launched the ball up field. John Francis caught the Cardiff left back off guard, sneaking in behind him to prevent the ball going out for a throw. Picking up the pieces, Ian Measham found himself in a position to get a ball into the box.

The cross was perfect for Mike Conroy, but he elected to step over the ball leaving Robbie Painter with the easiest of chances to stroke Burnley into a lead and to score his first goal for the clarets. The goal came after just sixteen seconds, surely the fastest goal in a competitive game at Turf Moor in the last fifteen years.

Welsh youngster Nathan Blake, levelled the scores, before Andrew Farrell and Mike Conroy added goals in the last 30 minutes of the game to give Burnley a thoroughly deserved 3-1 win.

There were just two other home games against Cardiff between the 1991/92 win and the two recent games, and both ended in wins for the Clarets. The first of these was in our play off season of 1993/94 when goals from Tony Philliskirk and John Francis secured a 2-0 win. It was Philliskirk’s first Turf Moor goal for the Clarets.

The second of those games was also in a promotion season, this time 1999/2000, and a 2-1 win came from the unlikeliest of sources, Gordon Armstrong and Lenny Johnrose.

Cardiff’s last Turf Moor win was on the last day of the 1987/88 season. Burnley were heading for Wembley and Cardiff had clinched promotion. When they scored a winner in the closing minutes the pitch was already under siege from Burnley fans and the referee brought it to an early end. Cardiff won it 2-1 after George Oghani had scored the Burnley equaliser.